Funiusaurus luanchuanensis gen. et sp. nov. was described on the basis of an incomplete skull from the Upper Cretaceous Qiupa Formation of the Tantou Basin in Luanehuan County, Henan Province. It is the second represe...Funiusaurus luanchuanensis gen. et sp. nov. was described on the basis of an incomplete skull from the Upper Cretaceous Qiupa Formation of the Tantou Basin in Luanehuan County, Henan Province. It is the second representative of lizards known from Luanchuan and adds a new member to the Luanchuan Fauna. F. luanchuanensis is a small-sized lizard and systematically assigned to the Polyglyphanodontidae of the Teiioidea because of the presence of a caniniform tooth and an elongate posterior process of the postorbital. It is distinctive in that the heterodont dentition bears 19 teeth in both the upper and lower jaws, the 3^rd maxillary tooth is large and caniniform, the post-caniniform teeth in maxilla and those posterior to the 3^rd dentary tooth are chisel-like in lateral view, the prefrontal possesses a fossa on its lateral surface, the postorbital with an extremely elongate posterior process and the well-developed retroarticular process has a deep fossa on its dorsal surface. In phylogeny, our analysis suggests a close relationship of Funiusaurus to the large-sized Tianyusaurus from the same basin within the Tuberocephalosaurinae. The discovery of Funiusaurus is significant in confirming the status of the Tuberocephalosaurinae, which includes a group of the Asian members of the Polyglyphanodontidae only.展开更多
Elevation plays a crucial factor in the distribution of plants,as environmental conditions become increasingly harsh at higher elevations.Previous studies have mainly focused on the effects of large-scale elevational ...Elevation plays a crucial factor in the distribution of plants,as environmental conditions become increasingly harsh at higher elevations.Previous studies have mainly focused on the effects of large-scale elevational gradients on plants,with little attention on the impact of smaller-scale gradients.In this study we used 14 microsatellite loci to survey the genetic structure of 332 Juniperus squamata plants along elevation gradient from two sites in the Hengduan Mountains.We found that the genetic structure(single,clonal,mosaic)of J.squamata shrubs is affected by differences in elevational gradients of only 150 m.Shrubs in the mid-elevation plots rarely have a clonal or mosaic structure compared to shrubs in lower-or higher-elevation plots.Human activity can significantly affect genetic structure,as well as reproductive strategy and genetic diversity.Sub-populations at mid-elevations had the highest yield of seed cones,lower levels of asexual reproduction and higher levels of genetic diversity.This may be due to the trade-off between elevational stress and anthropogenic disturbance at mid-elevation since there is greater elevational stress at higher-elevations and greater intensity of anthropogenic disturbance at lower-elevations.Our findings provide new insights into the finer scale genetic structure of alpine shrubs,which may improve the conservation and management of shrublands,a major vegetation type on the Hengduan Mountains and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.展开更多
On the basis of a different dorsal pattern,and a low number of maxillary teeth,the specimens of Oligodon joynsoni(Smith,1917) from the Nonggang National Nature Reserve,Guangxi,China formerly identified as O. joynsoni ...On the basis of a different dorsal pattern,and a low number of maxillary teeth,the specimens of Oligodon joynsoni(Smith,1917) from the Nonggang National Nature Reserve,Guangxi,China formerly identified as O. joynsoni by several authors should be referred to the recently described species O. nagao David,Nguyen,Nguyen,Jiang,Chen,Teynié,and Ziegler,2012. Here,we provide the first genuine record of O. joynsoni(Smith,1917) in China based on a male specimen collected from Xishuangbanna,Yunnan,China.展开更多
Pinus squamata X. W. Li, a recently-described species of the Pinaceae, is an extremely endangered pine with only 32 individuals in the wild. This species was thought to be intermediate between P. bungeana Zuec. ex End...Pinus squamata X. W. Li, a recently-described species of the Pinaceae, is an extremely endangered pine with only 32 individuals in the wild. This species was thought to be intermediate between P. bungeana Zuec. ex Endl. of subgen. Strobus and P. yunnanensis Franch. of subgen. Pinus by the original author. We made an effort to address the question of the phylogenetic relationship of this peculiar and important species in the context of the major groups of the genus Pinus by using sequences of the rbcL, matK,genes, rpl20-rps18 spacer, trnV intron of the chloroplast genome and the nuclear ribosomal ITS region. The results of the separated analysis and the combined analysis of the four cpDNA sequences and ITS sequence indicated that P. squamata was a stable member of subsect. Gerardianae and P. gerardiana Wall. was the closest species of P. squamata phylogenetically. As a result, the causes of the distribution pattern of subsect. Gerardianae were also discussed.展开更多
A new record of the homalopsid snake, Gerarda prevostiana is presented from a mangrove-dominated patch in the vicinity of Kampung Bako, Sarawak, East Malaysia, and this comprises the first published record from the Su...A new record of the homalopsid snake, Gerarda prevostiana is presented from a mangrove-dominated patch in the vicinity of Kampung Bako, Sarawak, East Malaysia, and this comprises the first published record from the Sundaic Island of Borneo. A possible second locality for the species is a ca. 6.68 km site to its northeast, Kampung Buntal, based on an unlocated museum specimen. The species is widespread in mainland Southeast Asia, with additional records to the west (the Indian Subcontinent) and east (the Philippines Archipelago), but was previously unrecorded from the islands of the Sundas. The secretive habits of the species, including the occupancy of mud lobster (Thalassinia spp.) mounds in mostly inaccessible, swampy habitats may be a reason for its perceived rarity and few published records.展开更多
During the months of April through July 2020 we studied aspects of the natural history of Leiolepis rubritaeniata,a species of butterfly lizard that occurs on the Khorat Plateau in Thailand and adjacent regions of Lao...During the months of April through July 2020 we studied aspects of the natural history of Leiolepis rubritaeniata,a species of butterfly lizard that occurs on the Khorat Plateau in Thailand and adjacent regions of Laos and Cambodia as well as in south-central Vietnam.We present data on population size and structure,as well as location,size,compass orientation,and structure of the lizard’s burrows.Also,we present climatic data(ambient air temperature and precipitation)at the study site for the duration of our field work as well as temperature data for the complete year 2021.Furthermore,we provide data on egg laying,incubation conditions and characteristics of the hatchlings.Finally,we present an easy to use and reliable non-invasive method for the long-term recognition of individual butterfly lizards based on their unique dorsal patterning.Butterfly lizards are utilized as a food source for the local human population.So far,there are no farming projects in Thailand involving this species and all individuals are collected from the wild populations.No data are available on the population dynamics of L.rubritaeniata but it can be assumed that habitat destruction due to land use change as well as its utilization for human consumption have negative effects on the long-term survival of the local populations of this lizard species.The baseline data presented here are essential for any meaningful conservation strategy for these lizards.展开更多
A new species of the genus Protobothrops Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1983, was described from Jilong County, southern Tibet, China, and Chungthang, northern Sikkim, India. It differs from congeners by the following character...A new species of the genus Protobothrops Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1983, was described from Jilong County, southern Tibet, China, and Chungthang, northern Sikkim, India. It differs from congeners by the following characters: 1) relatively large body size (total length up to 1510 mm); 2) dorsal scale rows 25-25-19; 3) except for the smooth outermost row, dorsal scales are weakly keeled; 4) relatively high number of ventral (198-216) and subcaudal (65-76 pairs) scales; 5) 7-8 supralabials; 6) 11 to 13 infralabials; 7) dorsal head uniform dark brown, laterally a reddish-brown obscure postocular streak; 8) dorsum of trtmk and tail olive, with distinct black edged red brown transverse bands across the body and tail; and 9) eye from bright brown and reddish brown to mildly brown. The new species was also observed from the Haa Valley in western Bhutan.展开更多
Multidimensional biodiversity approaches provide a framework for understanding the ecological and evolutionary processes that shape communities through time and space.In this study,we assess the spatial variation in t...Multidimensional biodiversity approaches provide a framework for understanding the ecological and evolutionary processes that shape communities through time and space.In this study,we assess the spatial variation in taxonomic,phylogenetic,and functional diversity of reptile assemblages along Chile’s latitudinal gradient to gain insight into the primary assembly processes structuring these communities.We compiled data on distribution,phylogeny,and functional traits and estimated alpha diversity indices of taxonomic,phylogenetic,and functional dimensions.We then assessed the assembly process under the stress dominance hypothesis(SDH),using null models to test whether the observed phylogenetic and functional diversity deviated from random patterns,suggesting the influence of habitat filtering or interspecific competition.We also examined environmental influences on diversity metrics.Our results show that phylogenetic diversity is a poor proxy for functional diversity,highlighting the importance of multidimensional approaches to understanding the drivers of assemblage composition and structure.In support of the SDH,habitat filtering influenced reptile assemblages in arid and cold environments,whereas interspecific competition influenced the assemblages in milder environments,such as the Mediterranean region and Valdivian forests.Furthermore,the spatial mismatch between diversity metrics allowed us to explore how assemblage composition and structure are influenced by local environmental heterogeneity,biogeographic history,and adaptive radiations of squamate reptiles.Environmental variables,particularly temperature,primary productivity,and topographic complexity,emerged as strong predictors of reptile diversity.Our study highlights the importance of integrating species’evolutionary history and ecological traits with taxonomic richness to improve our understanding of community composition,ecosystem functioning,history,and resilience.展开更多
Spinal nerves emerge from the spinal cord at the cervicothoracic and lumbosacral regions,where they anastomose to form nerve plexuses.Studies on the neuroanatomy of these plexuses have traditionally focused on descrip...Spinal nerves emerge from the spinal cord at the cervicothoracic and lumbosacral regions,where they anastomose to form nerve plexuses.Studies on the neuroanatomy of these plexuses have traditionally focused on descriptive aspects,with little consideration of evolutionary or phylogenetic contexts.South America hosts a diverse fauna of iguanian lizards,which have been the subject of multiple studies,some of which have reported evidence of sexual dimorphism.Considering this,we investigated the evolution of nerve plexuses and compared them between sexes in species of Leiosauridae,Liolaemidae,and Tropiduridae.To visualize the plexuses,we applied differential staining with Sudan Black and performed conventional dissections.Evolutionary analyses were conducted on 8 previously studied neuroanatomical characters using Bayesian inference and parsimony approaches.Our results show congruence between both optimality criteria.The most significant evolutionary variation was observed in Leiosauridae and Liolaemidae.Characters from the brachial plexus exhibited the highest phylogenetic signal and a low evolutionary rate.In contrast,characters from the lumbar plexus showed no phylogenetic signal and varied between sexes.Lumbar plexus traits evolved faster in males than in females.Our findings suggest that brachial plexus characters evolve under a strong phylogenetic influence.Instead,the lumbar plexus in males and females may be shaped by different selective pressures.Females exhibited more conservative traits,whereas males may be influenced by additional selective forces.Phylogeny and sexual dimorphism shape the evolution of the nerve plexuses in studied Pleurodont lizards.This study constitutes a first step toward understanding nervous plexuses from both perspectives in these reptiles.展开更多
The round-tailed homed lizard Phrynosoma modestum is cryptically colored and resembles a small stone when it draws legs close to its body and elevates its back. We investigated effectiveness of camouflage in P. modest...The round-tailed homed lizard Phrynosoma modestum is cryptically colored and resembles a small stone when it draws legs close to its body and elevates its back. We investigated effectiveness of camouflage in P. modestum and its dependence on stones by placing a lizard in one of two microhabitats (uniform sand or sand with surface rocks approximately the same size as lizards). An observer who knew which microhabitat contained the lizard was asked to locate the lizard visually. Latency to detec- tion was longer and probability of no detection within 60 s was higher for lizards on rock background than on bare sand. In arenas where lizards could choose to occupy rock or bare sand, much higher proportions selected rocky backgrounds throughout the day; at night all lizards slept among stones. A unique posture gives P modestum a rounded appearance similar to many natural stones. Lizards occasionally adopted the posture, but none did so in response to a nearby experimenter. Stimuli that elicit the posture are unknown. That P. modestum is better camouflaged among rocks than on bare sand and prefers to occupy rocky areas suggests that special resemblance to rocks (masquerade) enhances camouflage attributable to coloration and immobility.展开更多
The elongate, functionally limbless flap-footed lizards (family Pygopodidae) are found throughout Australia, ranging into southern New Guinea. Despite their diversity and abundance in most Australian ecosystems, pyg...The elongate, functionally limbless flap-footed lizards (family Pygopodidae) are found throughout Australia, ranging into southern New Guinea. Despite their diversity and abundance in most Australian ecosystems, pygopodids have attracted little scientific study. An intensive ecological study of one pygopodid, Burton's legless lizard (Lialis burtonis Gray 1835), was conducted in Australia's tropical Northern Territory. L. burtonis eats nothing but other lizards, primarily skinks, and appears to feed relatively infrequently (only 20.8% of stomachs contained prey). Ovulation and mating occur chiefly in the late dry-season (beginning around September), and most egg-laying takes place in the early to middle wet-season (November-January). Females can lay multiple clutches per year, some of which may be fertilised with stored sperm. Free-ranging L. burtonis are sedentary ambush foragers, with radio-tracked lizards moving on average 〈 5 m/day. Most foraging is done diurnally, but lizards may be active at any time of day or night. Radiotracked lizards were usually found in leaf-litter microhabitats, a preference that was also evident in habitat-choice experiments using field enclosures. Lizards typically buried themselves in 6-8 cm of litter; at this depth, they detect potential prey items while staying hidden from predators and prey and avoiding lethally high temperatures.展开更多
Escape theory predicts that flight initiation distance (FID = distance between predator and prey when escape begins) is longer when risk is greater and shorter when escape is more costly. A few tests suggest that es...Escape theory predicts that flight initiation distance (FID = distance between predator and prey when escape begins) is longer when risk is greater and shorter when escape is more costly. A few tests suggest that escape theory applies to distance fled. Escape models have not addressed stochastic variables, such as probability of fleeing and of entering refuge, but their economic logic might be applicable. Experiments on several risk factors in the lizard Sceloporus virgatus confirmed all predictions for the above escape variables. FID was greater when approach was faster and more direct, for lizards on ground than on trees, for lizards rarely exposed to humans, for the second of two approaches, and when the predator turned toward lizards rather than away. Lizards fled further during rapid and second consecutive approaches. They were more likely to flee when approached directly, when a predator turned toward them, and during second approaches. They were more likely to enter refuge when approached rapidly. A novel finding is that perch height in trees was unrelated to FID because lizards escaped by moving out of sight, then moving up or down unpredictably. These findings add to a growing body of evidence supporting predictions of escape theory for FID and distance fled. They show that two probabilistic aspects of escape are predictable based on relative predation risk levels. Because individuals differ in boldness, the assessed optimal FID and threshold risks for fleeing and entering refuge are exceeded for an increasing proportion of individuals as risk increases展开更多
We present an annotated checklist for a total 241 reptiles and 22 amphibians including 5 frogs, 9 toads, 7 newts and salamanders, 1 crocodile, 1 worm lizard, 148 lizards, 79 snakes and 12 turtles and tortoises, includ...We present an annotated checklist for a total 241 reptiles and 22 amphibians including 5 frogs, 9 toads, 7 newts and salamanders, 1 crocodile, 1 worm lizard, 148 lizards, 79 snakes and 12 turtles and tortoises, includes the most scientific literature up to August 2014 and also based on several field surveys conducted in different Provinces of Iran from 2009 to 2014. We present an up-to-dated checklist of reptiles and amphibians in Iran. We provide a comprehensive listing of taxonomy, names, distribution and conservation status of all amphibians and reptiles of Iran. This checklist includes all recognized named taxa, English names for classes, orders, families, species, subspecies along with Persian names for species, including indication of native and introduced species. For the first time we report two non-native introduced reptiles from natural habitats of Iran. Of the total 22 species of amphibians in Iran, 6(27.2%) are endemic and of the total 241 species of reptiles, 55(22.8%) are endemic. Of the 22 amphibians species in Iran, 3(13%) are Critically Endangered, 2(9%) are Vulnerable and of the 241 reptile species 3(1.2%) are Critically Endangered, 4(1.6%) are Endangered and 10(4.1%) are Vulnerable. Accordingly, this paper combines significant aspects of taxonomy, common names, conservation status and distribution of the Iranian herpetofauna.展开更多
Limb reduction in Squamata present the dramatic characteristic to focus and usually accompanied with particularly morphological modifications, impacting tremendous locomotion changing and might generate different ener...Limb reduction in Squamata present the dramatic characteristic to focus and usually accompanied with particularly morphological modifications, impacting tremendous locomotion changing and might generate different energy requirement. Herein, we combined both morphological and mitochondrial genomic data to explore the evolution of phenotypic transformation and mitochondrial genome of limbless and body-elongated squamates. We collected phenotypic measurements of 503 individuals, representing limbed or limbless taxa across all major lineages in Squama ta to investiga te the morphological correla tions with limb-reduction. Furthermore, we provided the mitochondrial genome of the representative limbless and elongated species Dibamus bourreti(Angel, 1935) to detect selective constraints on limbless clades with published mitogenomes of other squa ma te reptiles. Our results evidenced tha t body elongation had certain negative relationship with limbreduction in Squamata lineage and Lacertilia lineage(R = –0.495, P < 2.2 e-16;R= –0.332, P = 1.1 e-13, respectively), while tail length showed slight correlation in both clades(R = 0.156, P = 4.3 e-04;R= 0.192, P = 2.1 e-05, respectively). Besides, detection demonstrated that ATP6 has experienced accelerated evolution among limbless lineages, suggesting selective pressure on mitogenomes may play an essential role in energy disparity for locomotion of limbed and limbless squamates.展开更多
When an immobile prey has detected an immobile predator nearby, predation risk is greater when the predator is closer. Consequently, prey flee with shorter latency as standing distance (predator-prey distance when bo...When an immobile prey has detected an immobile predator nearby, predation risk is greater when the predator is closer. Consequently, prey flee with shorter latency as standing distance (predator-prey distance when both are still) decreases. Since it was first reported in 2009, this relationship has been confirmed in the few species studied. However, little is known about the functional relationship between standing distance and latency to flee (LF). We hypothesized that LF increases as standing distance increases at short distances, but reaches a plateau at longer distances where prey can escape reliably if attacked. We simulated immobile predators by moving slowly into positions near striped plateau lizards Sceloporus virgatus, stopping and then remaining immobile, and recording LF from the stopping time. LF increased from shorter to longer standing distances in a decelerating manner. The relationship was concave downward, and LF was indistinguishable among the longer standing distance groups. Latency to flee appears to reach a plateau or approach an asymptotic value as stand- ing distance increases. The effect size of standing distance was large, indicating that S. virgatus sensi- tively adjusts LF to the level of risk associated with standing distance. Relationships between risk assessment and theoretical zones associated with risk, its assessment by prey, and escape decisions are discussed. Effect sizes of standing distance were substantial to large in all studies to date, indicating that standing distance is an important predation risk factor when both predator and prey are immobile.展开更多
基金supported by research grants from"the Liang-Quan-Jia-Kuan"Projects of the Geological Science and Technology of Henan(Yuzhao:2011-622-2)the National Science Foundation of China(No.41272022,No.41172027)+1 种基金the project from China Geological Survey(No.12120114026801)the Canadian Museum of Nature(RCP09)
摘要Funiusaurus luanchuanensis gen. et sp. nov. was described on the basis of an incomplete skull from the Upper Cretaceous Qiupa Formation of the Tantou Basin in Luanehuan County, Henan Province. It is the second representative of lizards known from Luanchuan and adds a new member to the Luanchuan Fauna. F. luanchuanensis is a small-sized lizard and systematically assigned to the Polyglyphanodontidae of the Teiioidea because of the presence of a caniniform tooth and an elongate posterior process of the postorbital. It is distinctive in that the heterodont dentition bears 19 teeth in both the upper and lower jaws, the 3^rd maxillary tooth is large and caniniform, the post-caniniform teeth in maxilla and those posterior to the 3^rd dentary tooth are chisel-like in lateral view, the prefrontal possesses a fossa on its lateral surface, the postorbital with an extremely elongate posterior process and the well-developed retroarticular process has a deep fossa on its dorsal surface. In phylogeny, our analysis suggests a close relationship of Funiusaurus to the large-sized Tianyusaurus from the same basin within the Tuberocephalosaurinae. The discovery of Funiusaurus is significant in confirming the status of the Tuberocephalosaurinae, which includes a group of the Asian members of the Polyglyphanodontidae only.
基金study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant number:U20A2080,31622015)Sichuan University(Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,SCU2021D006,SCU2020D003).
摘要Elevation plays a crucial factor in the distribution of plants,as environmental conditions become increasingly harsh at higher elevations.Previous studies have mainly focused on the effects of large-scale elevational gradients on plants,with little attention on the impact of smaller-scale gradients.In this study we used 14 microsatellite loci to survey the genetic structure of 332 Juniperus squamata plants along elevation gradient from two sites in the Hengduan Mountains.We found that the genetic structure(single,clonal,mosaic)of J.squamata shrubs is affected by differences in elevational gradients of only 150 m.Shrubs in the mid-elevation plots rarely have a clonal or mosaic structure compared to shrubs in lower-or higher-elevation plots.Human activity can significantly affect genetic structure,as well as reproductive strategy and genetic diversity.Sub-populations at mid-elevations had the highest yield of seed cones,lower levels of asexual reproduction and higher levels of genetic diversity.This may be due to the trade-off between elevational stress and anthropogenic disturbance at mid-elevation since there is greater elevational stress at higher-elevations and greater intensity of anthropogenic disturbance at lower-elevations.Our findings provide new insights into the finer scale genetic structure of alpine shrubs,which may improve the conservation and management of shrublands,a major vegetation type on the Hengduan Mountains and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
基金supported by the grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (MOST Grant No. 2011FY120200)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31090100) the Chinese Academy of Sciences (KSCX2-YW-Z-0807, KSCX2- EW-Z-2), GEF (2011GXGEF006)
摘要On the basis of a different dorsal pattern,and a low number of maxillary teeth,the specimens of Oligodon joynsoni(Smith,1917) from the Nonggang National Nature Reserve,Guangxi,China formerly identified as O. joynsoni by several authors should be referred to the recently described species O. nagao David,Nguyen,Nguyen,Jiang,Chen,Teynié,and Ziegler,2012. Here,we provide the first genuine record of O. joynsoni(Smith,1917) in China based on a male specimen collected from Xishuangbanna,Yunnan,China.
摘要Pinus squamata X. W. Li, a recently-described species of the Pinaceae, is an extremely endangered pine with only 32 individuals in the wild. This species was thought to be intermediate between P. bungeana Zuec. ex Endl. of subgen. Strobus and P. yunnanensis Franch. of subgen. Pinus by the original author. We made an effort to address the question of the phylogenetic relationship of this peculiar and important species in the context of the major groups of the genus Pinus by using sequences of the rbcL, matK,genes, rpl20-rps18 spacer, trnV intron of the chloroplast genome and the nuclear ribosomal ITS region. The results of the separated analysis and the combined analysis of the four cpDNA sequences and ITS sequence indicated that P. squamata was a stable member of subsect. Gerardianae and P. gerardiana Wall. was the closest species of P. squamata phylogenetically. As a result, the causes of the distribution pattern of subsect. Gerardianae were also discussed.
基金the Sarawak Forest Department for issuance of a research permit(No.NCCD.907.4.4 Jld.7–39)a Fundamental Research Grant[Grant No:FRGS/07(04)787/2010(68)]from the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia for supporting our study on the herpetofauna of Sarawak.Y.M.
摘要A new record of the homalopsid snake, Gerarda prevostiana is presented from a mangrove-dominated patch in the vicinity of Kampung Bako, Sarawak, East Malaysia, and this comprises the first published record from the Sundaic Island of Borneo. A possible second locality for the species is a ca. 6.68 km site to its northeast, Kampung Buntal, based on an unlocated museum specimen. The species is widespread in mainland Southeast Asia, with additional records to the west (the Indian Subcontinent) and east (the Philippines Archipelago), but was previously unrecorded from the islands of the Sundas. The secretive habits of the species, including the occupancy of mud lobster (Thalassinia spp.) mounds in mostly inaccessible, swampy habitats may be a reason for its perceived rarity and few published records.
基金This research was funded partly by Chulalongkorn University:CU_GR_63_66_23_10also partly financially supported by the Sci-Super Ⅵ fund from Faculty of Science,Chulalongkorn University.
摘要During the months of April through July 2020 we studied aspects of the natural history of Leiolepis rubritaeniata,a species of butterfly lizard that occurs on the Khorat Plateau in Thailand and adjacent regions of Laos and Cambodia as well as in south-central Vietnam.We present data on population size and structure,as well as location,size,compass orientation,and structure of the lizard’s burrows.Also,we present climatic data(ambient air temperature and precipitation)at the study site for the duration of our field work as well as temperature data for the complete year 2021.Furthermore,we provide data on egg laying,incubation conditions and characteristics of the hatchlings.Finally,we present an easy to use and reliable non-invasive method for the long-term recognition of individual butterfly lizards based on their unique dorsal patterning.Butterfly lizards are utilized as a food source for the local human population.So far,there are no farming projects in Thailand involving this species and all individuals are collected from the wild populations.No data are available on the population dynamics of L.rubritaeniata but it can be assumed that habitat destruction due to land use change as well as its utilization for human consumption have negative effects on the long-term survival of the local populations of this lizard species.The baseline data presented here are essential for any meaningful conservation strategy for these lizards.
基金supported by grants from the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program2007CB411600)+5 种基金the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (MOST Grant 2011FY120200)the Capability Support Project for Nature Reserve (Finance-Agri [2008] 297)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31090250, 31071946)the Chinese Academy of Sciences (KSCX2-YW-Z-0807, KSCX2-EW-Z-2)the Bureau of Science and Technology of Yunnan, China
摘要A new species of the genus Protobothrops Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1983, was described from Jilong County, southern Tibet, China, and Chungthang, northern Sikkim, India. It differs from congeners by the following characters: 1) relatively large body size (total length up to 1510 mm); 2) dorsal scale rows 25-25-19; 3) except for the smooth outermost row, dorsal scales are weakly keeled; 4) relatively high number of ventral (198-216) and subcaudal (65-76 pairs) scales; 5) 7-8 supralabials; 6) 11 to 13 infralabials; 7) dorsal head uniform dark brown, laterally a reddish-brown obscure postocular streak; 8) dorsum of trtmk and tail olive, with distinct black edged red brown transverse bands across the body and tail; and 9) eye from bright brown and reddish brown to mildly brown. The new species was also observed from the Haa Valley in western Bhutan.
基金supported by Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo(ANID)of Chile,through a FONDECYT postdoctoral grant N°3230018 to N.V.
摘要Multidimensional biodiversity approaches provide a framework for understanding the ecological and evolutionary processes that shape communities through time and space.In this study,we assess the spatial variation in taxonomic,phylogenetic,and functional diversity of reptile assemblages along Chile’s latitudinal gradient to gain insight into the primary assembly processes structuring these communities.We compiled data on distribution,phylogeny,and functional traits and estimated alpha diversity indices of taxonomic,phylogenetic,and functional dimensions.We then assessed the assembly process under the stress dominance hypothesis(SDH),using null models to test whether the observed phylogenetic and functional diversity deviated from random patterns,suggesting the influence of habitat filtering or interspecific competition.We also examined environmental influences on diversity metrics.Our results show that phylogenetic diversity is a poor proxy for functional diversity,highlighting the importance of multidimensional approaches to understanding the drivers of assemblage composition and structure.In support of the SDH,habitat filtering influenced reptile assemblages in arid and cold environments,whereas interspecific competition influenced the assemblages in milder environments,such as the Mediterranean region and Valdivian forests.Furthermore,the spatial mismatch between diversity metrics allowed us to explore how assemblage composition and structure are influenced by local environmental heterogeneity,biogeographic history,and adaptive radiations of squamate reptiles.Environmental variables,particularly temperature,primary productivity,and topographic complexity,emerged as strong predictors of reptile diversity.Our study highlights the importance of integrating species’evolutionary history and ecological traits with taxonomic richness to improve our understanding of community composition,ecosystem functioning,history,and resilience.
基金Financial support was provided by Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas(CONICET)for a doctoral Fellowship(E.A.N.)Fondo para la Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica(FONCYT)PICT-2021-GRFTI-00186(A.S.Q.),PICT-2020-2363(A.M.Q.)+1 种基金Concejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas(CONICET)PIP 1120200100954(A.S.Q.)Concejo de Investigaciones de la Universidad Nacional de Salta(CIUNSa)2931(A.S.Q.),CIUNSa 2996(A.M.Q.).
摘要Spinal nerves emerge from the spinal cord at the cervicothoracic and lumbosacral regions,where they anastomose to form nerve plexuses.Studies on the neuroanatomy of these plexuses have traditionally focused on descriptive aspects,with little consideration of evolutionary or phylogenetic contexts.South America hosts a diverse fauna of iguanian lizards,which have been the subject of multiple studies,some of which have reported evidence of sexual dimorphism.Considering this,we investigated the evolution of nerve plexuses and compared them between sexes in species of Leiosauridae,Liolaemidae,and Tropiduridae.To visualize the plexuses,we applied differential staining with Sudan Black and performed conventional dissections.Evolutionary analyses were conducted on 8 previously studied neuroanatomical characters using Bayesian inference and parsimony approaches.Our results show congruence between both optimality criteria.The most significant evolutionary variation was observed in Leiosauridae and Liolaemidae.Characters from the brachial plexus exhibited the highest phylogenetic signal and a low evolutionary rate.In contrast,characters from the lumbar plexus showed no phylogenetic signal and varied between sexes.Lumbar plexus traits evolved faster in males than in females.Our findings suggest that brachial plexus characters evolve under a strong phylogenetic influence.Instead,the lumbar plexus in males and females may be shaped by different selective pressures.Females exhibited more conservative traits,whereas males may be influenced by additional selective forces.Phylogeny and sexual dimorphism shape the evolution of the nerve plexuses in studied Pleurodont lizards.This study constitutes a first step toward understanding nervous plexuses from both perspectives in these reptiles.
摘要The round-tailed homed lizard Phrynosoma modestum is cryptically colored and resembles a small stone when it draws legs close to its body and elevates its back. We investigated effectiveness of camouflage in P. modestum and its dependence on stones by placing a lizard in one of two microhabitats (uniform sand or sand with surface rocks approximately the same size as lizards). An observer who knew which microhabitat contained the lizard was asked to locate the lizard visually. Latency to detec- tion was longer and probability of no detection within 60 s was higher for lizards on rock background than on bare sand. In arenas where lizards could choose to occupy rock or bare sand, much higher proportions selected rocky backgrounds throughout the day; at night all lizards slept among stones. A unique posture gives P modestum a rounded appearance similar to many natural stones. Lizards occasionally adopted the posture, but none did so in response to a nearby experimenter. Stimuli that elicit the posture are unknown. That P. modestum is better camouflaged among rocks than on bare sand and prefers to occupy rocky areas suggests that special resemblance to rocks (masquerade) enhances camouflage attributable to coloration and immobility.
基金Funding was provided by a National Science Foundation(USA)graduate research fellowship(to Michael WALL)the Australian Research Council(to Richard SHINE)
摘要The elongate, functionally limbless flap-footed lizards (family Pygopodidae) are found throughout Australia, ranging into southern New Guinea. Despite their diversity and abundance in most Australian ecosystems, pygopodids have attracted little scientific study. An intensive ecological study of one pygopodid, Burton's legless lizard (Lialis burtonis Gray 1835), was conducted in Australia's tropical Northern Territory. L. burtonis eats nothing but other lizards, primarily skinks, and appears to feed relatively infrequently (only 20.8% of stomachs contained prey). Ovulation and mating occur chiefly in the late dry-season (beginning around September), and most egg-laying takes place in the early to middle wet-season (November-January). Females can lay multiple clutches per year, some of which may be fertilised with stored sperm. Free-ranging L. burtonis are sedentary ambush foragers, with radio-tracked lizards moving on average 〈 5 m/day. Most foraging is done diurnally, but lizards may be active at any time of day or night. Radiotracked lizards were usually found in leaf-litter microhabitats, a preference that was also evident in habitat-choice experiments using field enclosures. Lizards typically buried themselves in 6-8 cm of litter; at this depth, they detect potential prey items while staying hidden from predators and prey and avoiding lethally high temperatures.
基金supported by a Pippert Science Research Scholar award
摘要Escape theory predicts that flight initiation distance (FID = distance between predator and prey when escape begins) is longer when risk is greater and shorter when escape is more costly. A few tests suggest that escape theory applies to distance fled. Escape models have not addressed stochastic variables, such as probability of fleeing and of entering refuge, but their economic logic might be applicable. Experiments on several risk factors in the lizard Sceloporus virgatus confirmed all predictions for the above escape variables. FID was greater when approach was faster and more direct, for lizards on ground than on trees, for lizards rarely exposed to humans, for the second of two approaches, and when the predator turned toward lizards rather than away. Lizards fled further during rapid and second consecutive approaches. They were more likely to flee when approached directly, when a predator turned toward them, and during second approaches. They were more likely to enter refuge when approached rapidly. A novel finding is that perch height in trees was unrelated to FID because lizards escaped by moving out of sight, then moving up or down unpredictably. These findings add to a growing body of evidence supporting predictions of escape theory for FID and distance fled. They show that two probabilistic aspects of escape are predictable based on relative predation risk levels. Because individuals differ in boldness, the assessed optimal FID and threshold risks for fleeing and entering refuge are exceeded for an increasing proportion of individuals as risk increases
摘要We present an annotated checklist for a total 241 reptiles and 22 amphibians including 5 frogs, 9 toads, 7 newts and salamanders, 1 crocodile, 1 worm lizard, 148 lizards, 79 snakes and 12 turtles and tortoises, includes the most scientific literature up to August 2014 and also based on several field surveys conducted in different Provinces of Iran from 2009 to 2014. We present an up-to-dated checklist of reptiles and amphibians in Iran. We provide a comprehensive listing of taxonomy, names, distribution and conservation status of all amphibians and reptiles of Iran. This checklist includes all recognized named taxa, English names for classes, orders, families, species, subspecies along with Persian names for species, including indication of native and introduced species. For the first time we report two non-native introduced reptiles from natural habitats of Iran. Of the total 22 species of amphibians in Iran, 6(27.2%) are endemic and of the total 241 species of reptiles, 55(22.8%) are endemic. Of the 22 amphibians species in Iran, 3(13%) are Critically Endangered, 2(9%) are Vulnerable and of the 241 reptile species 3(1.2%) are Critically Endangered, 4(1.6%) are Endangered and 10(4.1%) are Vulnerable. Accordingly, this paper combines significant aspects of taxonomy, common names, conservation status and distribution of the Iranian herpetofauna.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31772434,32070410)the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition a nd Resea rch Progra m(STEP) (2019QZKK0501)+2 种基金the International Partnership Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (151751KYSB20190024)Biological Resources Programme, Chinese Academy of Sciences (KF JBRP-017-14)the Distinguished young scholars in Sichuan Province (2021JDJQ0002)。
摘要Limb reduction in Squamata present the dramatic characteristic to focus and usually accompanied with particularly morphological modifications, impacting tremendous locomotion changing and might generate different energy requirement. Herein, we combined both morphological and mitochondrial genomic data to explore the evolution of phenotypic transformation and mitochondrial genome of limbless and body-elongated squamates. We collected phenotypic measurements of 503 individuals, representing limbed or limbless taxa across all major lineages in Squama ta to investiga te the morphological correla tions with limb-reduction. Furthermore, we provided the mitochondrial genome of the representative limbless and elongated species Dibamus bourreti(Angel, 1935) to detect selective constraints on limbless clades with published mitogenomes of other squa ma te reptiles. Our results evidenced tha t body elongation had certain negative relationship with limbreduction in Squamata lineage and Lacertilia lineage(R = –0.495, P < 2.2 e-16;R= –0.332, P = 1.1 e-13, respectively), while tail length showed slight correlation in both clades(R = 0.156, P = 4.3 e-04;R= 0.192, P = 2.1 e-05, respectively). Besides, detection demonstrated that ATP6 has experienced accelerated evolution among limbless lineages, suggesting selective pressure on mitogenomes may play an essential role in energy disparity for locomotion of limbed and limbless squamates.
摘要When an immobile prey has detected an immobile predator nearby, predation risk is greater when the predator is closer. Consequently, prey flee with shorter latency as standing distance (predator-prey distance when both are still) decreases. Since it was first reported in 2009, this relationship has been confirmed in the few species studied. However, little is known about the functional relationship between standing distance and latency to flee (LF). We hypothesized that LF increases as standing distance increases at short distances, but reaches a plateau at longer distances where prey can escape reliably if attacked. We simulated immobile predators by moving slowly into positions near striped plateau lizards Sceloporus virgatus, stopping and then remaining immobile, and recording LF from the stopping time. LF increased from shorter to longer standing distances in a decelerating manner. The relationship was concave downward, and LF was indistinguishable among the longer standing distance groups. Latency to flee appears to reach a plateau or approach an asymptotic value as stand- ing distance increases. The effect size of standing distance was large, indicating that S. virgatus sensi- tively adjusts LF to the level of risk associated with standing distance. Relationships between risk assessment and theoretical zones associated with risk, its assessment by prey, and escape decisions are discussed. Effect sizes of standing distance were substantial to large in all studies to date, indicating that standing distance is an important predation risk factor when both predator and prey are immobile.